Archive for category Digital Storytelling

Simple Transfer: Transfer Photos and Videos Between iPad and Computer!

A BIG obstacle and headache that often occurs when working with iOS devices is being able to easily transfer your photos and videos between the iPad and computer. Emailing is not always the answer. File sizes can become too large. Having to attach image after image is a hassle. An even bigger hassle is having to plug the device into the computer.   Simple Transfer is a free app that will allow you to transfer your data wirelessly to or from any computer.

simple transfer

Simple Transfer is VERY easy to use.  Once it is downloaded, open the app.  It will show you a screen with a web IP address on it.  Leave the app open and then enter the address it provides into the web browser (Chrome, IE, Safari, etc.) on your computer.

simple transfer iPad

A window will pop open on the computer showing your iPad and the different folders you have created on it to store your photos and videos.  If you are looking to upload media from your computer to the iPad it can be done from the first window you see.  Choose the location you want the file to save on the iPad and then browse to the file you wish to upload.  Note that the free version of the app only allows you to transfer 1 file at a time to the iPad.

simple transfer screenshot 1

If you are looking to transfer files from your iPad to your computer, select the folder where the files you are transferring are located.

simple transfer screenshot 2

The screen will refresh, opening the folder you have chosen.  You can now select the photos or videos you want to transfer.  You also have a “select all” option.  Note that the free version of this app allows you to transfer up to 50 files at a time to your computer.  If you select more than one file to upload, a zip file will be created and sent to the computer. Open the folder on your computer to view all the files you have transferred.

There is a paid version of this app that will allow you to transfer more than 50 files at a time from device to computer and also allow you to upload multiple files at once from computer to device.  The paid version is $1.99.  Try the free version first to be sure your network is not blocking the use of this app.  If it works and you find you need more freedom with the app, purchase the paid version.  Then sit back and enjoy Simple Transfer!

Book Creator: New Update Opens New Doors

The Book Creator app has been one of my favorites for some time…that is no secret.  This last week, Dan Amos (@bookcreatorapp), released an update that gives everyone even more reasons to love it!  Here is a brief summary of what is new with this update.

book creator

Adding Hyperlinks

You can now link both text and images within your book to resources on the web.  Connect to audio files, a YouTube video, or a document or article that houses more information…just to name a few.  They made it very easy to use, just like the rest of the app.  As an added bonus, you are now also able to format individual words within your text to make it stand out.  Two great additions.

Import Books

Another amazing option.  This allows you to bring a book back into the app to add to, or edit, a book you have previously sent to iBooks…even if you don’t have the original file anymore.  This also allows you to import a book from another iPad and work on it.  A great classroom addition.

Combine Books

I saved my favorite for last!  This update allows you to combine 2 or more books into one.  Have students work individually on a section of a book, even on different iPads, and then combine them all into one final class project.  Have students write chapters and then combine for a “novel”.  Share a Science Experiment with different members of a group addressing each part of the scientific process.  What a fabulous option.

Those are the big 3 (actually 4) upgrades that I think make this app one of the best on the market.  To learn even more about these upgrades, as well as instructions on how to use all these new options, check out What’s New in Version 2.4 at redjumper.net.

If you have the app but have not yet upgraded, what are you waiting for?!?  If you have not purchased the app yet, I can tell you it is the best $4.99 I have ever spent.  Teachers and students alike love this app.  You will too!

Holiday Greetings 2.0

If you’ve decided your hum-drum holiday card could use an upgrade, you might consider saving paper – and postage – by sharing your holiday wishes online this year.

Here’s a a few resources and inspiration to set you on your “merry way!”

Holiday Video Cards by vlix

Click Here to View

This simple iPad/iPod Touch app allows users to import or record videos, add holiday borders and background music before sharing via email, YouTube, Twitter, or Facebook.  Something as simple as recording students in your class saying “Happy Holidays” would be really neat to share with parents!

JibJab

Click Here to View

This online resource is perfect for creating a holiday ecard featuring classic music and the ability to add your face, or the faces of up to 5 friends to the card.  Elf Yourself!

Animoto

Click Here to View Online      Click Here to View iOS App

For several years now, Animoto has been our go-to site for creating stunning photo slideshows in just a few minutes.  Their site is great year-round, but it’s especially handy for putting all those holiday photos into a format that your family or students will be excited to watch.  Educators can even create Animoto Plus accounts for free.

Sharenik

Click Here to View

Create an online card that features photos, videos, a letter, or pretty much any combination of the three!  This FREE site is great for those of us who just can’t bear the thought of abandoning their annual holiday letter.  Share up to 15 photos/videos and select from tons of templates and format options.

 

Windows Live Movie Maker & Photo Gallery

Click Here to View

Want a little less “wizard’ and a little more precise control over your holiday video project?  Windows Live Movie Maker & Photo Gallery provide user-friendly interfaces for editing video, or creating a photo slide shows.  The software is free, and great for PC users!

For Apple lovers, iMovie on your iOS device or Mac is the way to go!

Whichever venue you choose for expressing your holiday cheer, be sure you challenge yourself, and share your project with us!  We’d love to see what you come up with!

 

 

Metamorphosis: Converting Files to New Formats

Occasionally during the course of creating a digital project, you’ll need to change the format of the audio or video clip you’d like to use so that it matches the formats accepted by whatever editing software you’re using.  Here at the iCafe we have a few tricks up our sleeve when it comes to reformatting audio or video files.  Below are a few of our favorite FREE converting tools.

 

Format Factory

Format Factory is a great piece of FREE software that can quickly reformat files already saved on your computer.  Have a video file that was taken upside down or sideways?  Format Factory can take care of that too!

Download Format Factory

If you’re using Format Factory for the first time, view the Format Factory Video Tutorial before getting started. (1 min 30 sec)


 

MediaConverter.org

Media Converter is an online tool that does a fantastic job of reformatting files, and even allows you to download media from various online sources.  As always, be sure to practice good Digital Citizenship when downloading files by honoring any copyright restrictions that may apply.

Visit MediaConverter.org 

 

 

Online-Convert.com

Similar to Media Converter, Online-Convert is an online tool that can be used to re-format files.  What we like about Online-Convert is the fact that they offer an ebook converter so that you can convert your .pdf or Word .docx into .epub so that they can be read in apps such as iBooks.

Visit Online-Convert.com

Happy Converting!

 


 

 

 

 

Texas Public Schools Rock! Video Contest

You know it, and I know it…there are some AMAZING things happening on your campuses!  Now it’s time to invite students to tell the world about what makes their Texas Public School so special.  The Texas Association of School Boards is now accepting entries for its first ever Student Video Contest.

Original, student-created videos must be between 30 seconds and 2 minutes long and should focus on one of the four themes below:

  • What makes your school exceptional?
  • Why your school deserves the support of your community
  • How the funding cuts of the last Legislative session have affected your school
  • Why Texans should be proud of their public schools

This is a great opportunity for students to write, produce, and star in a movie that could have real impact on your community as well as their classroom.  First prize in each of 3 divisions is $5,000 – for classroom equipment and materials!

Click here for contest rules & details.

Need help getting your video project started?  Check out our Digital Storytelling Resources to get your video project off on the right foot.  January 31, 2013 is the contest deadline – so you’ll want to get this project underway soon.  Have fun & be sure to share your entries with us!

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